Photographer's Note

My first TE post earlier this year was of these same cisterns, a B & W version in portrait format. I have returned to the colour version in a different format for todays post. I mentioned last time I posted this site that it is tricky , as it is against the rules to use a tripod however the low light conditions make hand held photos impossible.
If you go to the Basilica Cistern be sure to take along a bean bag or suitable prop for your camera and take care. As it is subterranean there is almost constant seepage of water through the roofing and so the pathways stay wet making it difficult to rest your camera on the ground.
They are a truly wonderful place to visit though and well worth the very small entrance fee. It is cool and magical with the lighting of the columns which rise up from the water giving a soft warm glow. Carp swim in the water as they were meant to be an advanced warning if the fresh water source had been poisoned or compromised.
More information can be found on Wikipedia with a search of Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

It is a wonderful warm photograph of the cool silent Cistern. The lights have been very well managed and the glow on each pillar and arch is facinating.
The reflections on the water makes it an even more mystic and magical place. (It also keeps tourists off the water and allows for undisturbed photography !)
It must have been a wonderful feeling - just to stand there in the silence and stillness.
Thanks for sharing.

Hello Kathryn,
This is a real surprise ! After your nice entry from Venice (which I've allready criticised) now a perfect capture from my beloved homecity !
Very good symmetrical pov and perfect ligth management.
I remember to some very nice choral concerts there untill a few years ago, which is no more permitted due to the limited space and not to strong wooden constructions !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

This is a nice warm colour palette that sets the mood and the atmosphere of the shot. A well exposed image which given the various lights, the reflections and the shadow areas must have been difficult. You can see at the edges a more normal light where the balustrade runs and at the end of the corridor of light in the far depths of the shot.

Hello Kathryn,
a very well rendered impression of symmetry enhances the sense of calmness and stillness in the subterranean Basilica Cistern. The reflections are wonderful and amplify impressively the exquisite sense of space, depth and perspective. I love the way you've captured the light in various qualities and intensities and the way you've used it to create a magical and fascinating image and atmosphere. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a good night,
Ourania

Hi Katryn,a very difficult place to take a pic and a great result,you manage very well your camera for a magnificent result,i like it and i like this fantastic atmosphere too.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Yes, I well remember your first photograph from this magical place and this is a fine follow-up one, this time in colour.

Your note is particularly interesting and also very informative for any of us who might wish to visit this place in the future. What a shame that tripods are disallowed! But I just wonder what your exposure time was with this picture as it's not in your exif data? And how did you support your camera in this case - presumably not a bean-bag because your viewpoint seems to be about eye-level?

A very fine symmetrical composition with lovely lighting, fine warm colours and excellent detail and sharpness. The reflections on the water are stunning.

I can imagine that the lighting is tough here, Kathryn, and impressed at how bright this turned out, especially given that you're shooting in ISO 200 and f/18! That aperture creates really good depth, and the glow from the floodlamps a really cool effect down the row. In the low light, it's tough to tell that the reflections are reflections, and not just more space! Nicely done.

Another wonderful presentation! Great light management! So fantastic and dramatic effect you created. Some mysterious atmopshere too. Thanks for your sharing with finest work and have a good start of new week!

Hello Kathryn,
wow!! what a magic place. An amazing interior and an amazing colors. Indeed like you telling us about condition must be not eazy to taking a pictures, but even though you did wonderful job. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards,
Barbara

Your notes emphasise the obvious problems that you encountered taking this shot. Without much natural light and no possibility of a tripod, you were already having profound problems. However, the viewpoint and the composition give excellent guidance to any viewers. The light is mellow, almost mystical and helps to set the mood. The reflections help to create a sense of immense depth, a bit 'Underworldy' from some early Greek myth!

Hello Kathryn
Gorgeous shot with a great symmetry and a superb light. I can just imagine the trouble you went trough to take this, considering that tripods are not allowed.
Very interesting note also, I know now another place not to miss next time in Istanbul
have a great week
Daniel

Oooh what a magical palce. The symmetry, the warm light and the reflections are so beautiful and just so unusual. I love the effect the diminishing lines has on the perspective too and you hanled those pesky spotlights really well. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your article, I read it, it's great.

Hello Kathryn,
I am drawn to the gentle reflections in the water and the lovely light in this magical place. The arrangement of the pillars draws the eye into the picture giving real depth. Very well taken under what looks like difficult conditions.
Kind Regards, Ann

hi Kathryn,
Magical is certainly the word that springs to mind when I see this, as the colours and mood of the image are otherworldly. It presents a beautiful scene, in no small part due to the excellent light conditions which you have captured perfectly. And a tripod free image? Wow, well done indeed!
All the best
Noel